(torch-bearers), in Antiquity, priests of Ceres. When that goddess commenced her travels in search of her daughter Proserpine, it was night; and in order to pursue her journey through the dark she lighted a torch. In commemoration of this circumstance, at the feasts and sacrifices of the goddess, it was customary for her priests to run about the temple with torches in their hands. One of them took a lighted torch from off the altar, and ran with it to another part of the temple, where he delivered it to a second; the next proceeded in like manner and gave his torch to a third, and so of the rest. From this ceremony the priests were called δάδουχοι, torch-bearers.